Folding ironing table



Nov. 21, 1934. J A, RElTZE 1,982,399

FOLDING IRONING TABLE Filed June 4, 1954 I5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

\ l .Mem

NOV- 27, 1934 J. A. RElTzE 1,982,399

FOLDING IRONING TABLE Filed, June 4, 1934 3 Sheets-Shawl 2- Nv. 27, 1934. J. A. REl'rzE 1,982,399

FOLDING IRONING TABLE Filed'June 4, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 gli Patented Nov. 27, 1934 UNITED STATES* PATENT ortica FOLDING IRONING TABLE John A. Reitze, Chicago, Ill. Application June 4, 1934, serial No. 728,989

7 Claims. (ci. ca -10') My `invention relates to ironing. tables. of the folding type, and has for one of its objects to provide a table which has stability.

` A further object of the invention is to con- "l struct the table with means to make it simple to open and close.

A still further object of the invention is to include means for positively locking the table against collapse when it is in the open position.

`A Another object of theinvention is to include means automatically effective on the opening of the table to spread its rear legs for added stability.

An additional object of the invention is to design it with parts which are few, exceedingly llsimple and of a sufficiently substantial nature. to

give the table ample strength while making it light` enough toy be handled or carried from one place to another.

With the above objects in view and any others 20. that may suggest themselves from the specification and claims to follow, a better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. -1 is a perspective view of the novel table -Z in the open or standing position;

Fig.. 2 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view fromy below the table, and showing as much thereof as isin the vicinity of the top or ironing board thereof;

30. Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the table in the folded position;

Fig. 5 is an end view of the table in the standing position, taken from the rear;

Fig. 6 is an elevation on a magnified scalefof a locking device; and l Fig. 'I is a bottom plan View of the showing in Fig. 6.

ReferringY specifically to the drawings, 10 denotes the top, 11 the upstanding legs at the rear,

40.12 an inclined front leg, 13 a pair of inclined` braces, and 14 a pair of bottom braces for the novel table. The braces 13 are pivotally attached.

at 13a to the legs 11 and converge toward the front to locate their forward ends nextunder the top 10 and somewhat spaced from each other laterally. The pivots 13a also receive the rear ends of the bottom braces 14, these converging in their forward courseto a point alongside the lower portion of thefrontal leg 12, where they are 50. pivotallyconnected to the latter by a loose cross rivet 14a.' In this connection, it may be said that the application of the braces 14 to the leg 12 is direct, while that of the braces 13 to the legs 11 ,V involves intermediate bracket plates 13b which 05' extend from the rear ends of the braces and takethe rivets 13a, the bracket plates thus forming reinforcements for the related braces..

As .indicated more particularly in.Fig. 3, the upper` end` of the frontal leg 12 enters between the sides 15a of a channel plate 15 which is se- 60. cured next under the center portion of the top 10. A cross rivet 15b serves to pivotally attach the leg 12 to the channel plate. The legs 11 extend upwardly to within a short distance of the top. 10, where they receive side rivets 11a through 65' them, such rivets being carried by the terminal `downward bends 16a of a metal cross strap 16 secured` to the under side of the table top near its rear end by screws 16h or other suitable .fastening means. otal action of the legs l1 from the standingposition indicated kin Figs.ul to` 3, to thefolded position indicated in Fig. 4.. In this position, the legs 11, as well as the leg 12, the braces 13 and the brac-es 14, are assembled side by side next 75.i

to the under side of the table top, making the table sufciently compact for easy handling, Wrapping, or storage in a limited space.

The frontalr` ends of the braces 13 .terminate outside the side walls .17a of a channel shaped metal link 17 which is situated under the top 10. The saidbra'ce ends makepivotal connections at-17b. with the rear end of .the link, while the frontend thereof makes pivotal connection with the depending ears 18a of a bracketlB at 18h. S5' The bracket 18 is secured by screws or .other suitable means 18c to the under side of the table 10 and is also channel shaped, the ears 18a being so spaced that the side 17a of the channel link 1'7 enters between them. pended between the bracket 13 at the front and the frontal ends of the braces 13 at the rear; and whenv the table is in the standing position, the braces 13 and the link make a very wide obtuse angle, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 6, the frontalV 95 ends of the braces 13 abutting the under side of theV table with chamfered top edgesl 13o to give the braces aflat contact with the table top despite their oblique position.

It will be seen that with the supporting members of the table arranged as described, the positions of the braces 13 and the link 17 create a lock against the possible closing tendency of the legsll in the direction of the table top, since the angle ofthe said braces 'with the link represents 1055 a position beyond an imaginary center line between the outer ends of the braces and the front end of the link. Thus the parts in this relation insure againstthe collapse of the legs 11. However, I 'have added a further safeguard in the 110 The rivets 16 permit the free piv- 70 The link 17 is thus sus- 90 1 form of a turnbutton 19 which I secure for free rotation under the table top by means of a screw 19a and a washer 19h. The turnbutton has a tongue 19e at one end and a handle 19d at the other end, both of these parts being offset in a downward direction from the stock of the turnbutton to render them spaced from the underside of the table. One of the link walls 17a is cut with an elongated slot 17o opposite the turnbutton tongue 19e, and it is an easy matter to draw the handle 19d with one linger until the tongue 19e enters the slot 17e to positively lock the link 17 from accidentally becoming separated from the table. The tongue 19e is somewhat arched crosswise in order to more easily negotiate the ceiling of the slot 17e and make a frictional contact therewith; and this Contact will be with a wedging action because of the downward incline of the slot in the engaging direction of the tongue, assuring a rm hold of the link by the turnbutton.

In order to collapse or fold up the board when it is no longer to be used, the first action is to swing the turnbutton 19 whereby to disengage Athe link 17 and occupy the position shown in Fig. 4. The hand may nowbe applied to one of the braces 13 near the forward end to draw open the same with the effect of breaking the braces and the link in the opposite or outward direction, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 6. Now, the table may be rested on its rear end and the hand applied to the forward leg 12 to'draw the same in a forward direction. c This will not only procure the folding action of said leg but will draw upon .the rear legs 11 to fold them, at the same time causing the braces 13 to be carried in the direction of the table top and to assume positions between the braces 14, as 'clearly shown in Fig. 4. Conversely, to re-open the table for use, the frontal Jleg 12 is taken hold of and swung outwardly, this action allowing the rear legs 11 to drop by their weight and draw with them the braces 13 and 14. This action is preferably taken while the table is rested with its rear end on the floor. With the l supporting parts extended from the table top, the

hand is applied to the link 17 to push the same from the dotted position of Fig. 6 toward the table top, whereby to break the joint beyond its center line and locate the same next under the table top. Finally, the turnbutton is swung into assure the co-operative advance of the braces,-

saving strain and time.

Besides the opening and closing functions of the novel table as described above, I provide the automatic spreading of the rear legs 11 on the opening operation, so that while these legs may 0ccupy a parallel and compact position when the table is folded, they will be amply spread when the table is in standing position to check upsetting or toppling tendencies. To procure the spreading action, I provide a pair of crossed arms 21 opposite the rear edges of the legs 11, these arms being of sturdy strap metal and laid next to each other. The lower ends of the arms are respectively secured by loose rivets 21a to the legs,

while the upper ends of the arms receive rivets 2lb from the same in longitudinal slots 210 extending some distance from such ends. A short distance beyond the inner ends of the slots 21e a link connection is made between the lower ends of a pair of hanger rods 22 and the respective arms 21, the latter being perforated for the purpose of the connection. The hanger rods 22 are downward bends from a common transverse rod portion v22a which is freely supported in bearings 23 secured to the undersideof the table top 10 by screws 23a. or other suitable means.

It is thus seen that the hanger formed by the rods 22 is pivotally constituted relative to the table top whereby to permit its folding and opening with the legsl l1 when these are swung toward and from the top 10. However, the pivot 22a of the hanger is set several inches back from the line of the leg pivots 11a, so that a differential motion occurs between the legs and the hanger on the opening action. In other Words, the length of the hanger rods 22 is such that the arms 21 are caused to travel outwardly as the legs open, and draw the slotted portions 21e along the rivets 2lb from the position shownin Fig. 4, where the rivets are next to the inner ends of the slots, to the position indicated in Figs. 1 and 3, where the rivets are in the outer ends of the slots. It is now seen that the change in the position of these rivets works a lateral departure.

21d in the arms 21, in order to allow the arms suiiicient length while limiting the spreading extent of the legs 11. Obviously, when the legs 11 are swung inwardly to be folded, the action of the slotted cam portions is reversed and the legs are caused to converge to the parallel positions in which they are to lie folded next to the table.

It will be seen that I have provided a folding ironing table which is not only simple and built along lines recognized to provide efficiency and ease of handling, but has special features which assure its stability and safety at all times from collapse. Further, the feature of the break joint between the upper braces and the frontal link not only provides a lock but imposes a tension upon the supporting element of the table whereby to eliminate looseness and tendencies for rattling and vibration while the table is in use. Further, the automatic leg spreading expedient provides a simple mechanism which assures the support of the table over a wide area and against upsetting or toppling tendencies, all without the need of manual attention. Finally, the novel table is an article of simplicity, lightness, strength, and may be easily operated, handled or carried about by the average person.

1. An ironing table having a pair of upstanding legs adjacent one end portion thereof and foldable in the direction of the other end portion, braces extending from the legs toward the table top and converging in forward direction,

and a link between the forward ends of the braces and the table top, the link making an obtuse angle with the braces as the legs are unfolded. and the joint between the link and the braces being breakable in the direction of the table to form an obtuse angle in the opposite direction and lock the legs in the upstanding position, the link having a lateral slot, and a turnbutton carried by the underside of the table top and swingable to engage the slotted portion of the link and retain the latter close to the table top.

2. An ironing table having `a pair of upstanding legs adjacent one end portion thereof and foldable in the direction of the other end portion, and means for spreading said legs laterally as they are unfolded to the standing position, said means comprising crossed arms carried by the legs, and separate means pivotally carried by the table top in offset relation to the pivots of said legs, said last named means being pivotally engaged with said arms to shift the same and thereby spread the legs laterally as said legs are unfolded as aforesaid, and means for guiding the movement of said arms when the same are shifted.

3. An ironing table having a pair of upstanding legs adjacent one end portion thereof and foldable in the direction of theother end por.-v tion, and means for spreading said legs laterally as they are unfolded to the standing position, said means comprising crossed arms carried by the legs, said arms having a pin and slot connection to said legs adjacent their upperends, and a pivotal connection to said legs at their lower ends, and means pivotally carried by the table top in off-set relation to the pivots of said legs, said l'ast named means being engaged with said arms to shift the same and thereby spread said legs laterally as said legs are unfolded as aforesaid.

4. The structure of claim 3, said pivotal means including spaced rods pivoted at their upper ends to the top and pivotally connected at their lower ends to said arms.

5. The structure `of claim 3, said pivotal means comprising a transverse member pivotally attached to the table top and having its ends bent into substantially parallel relation and pivotally connected to said arms.

6. An ironing table having a pair of upstanding legs adjacent one end portion thereof and foldable in the direction of the other end portion, braces extending from the legs toward the table top and converging in forward direction, and a link between the forward ends of the braces and the table top, the link making an obtuse angle with the braces as the legs are unfolded, and the joint between the link and the braces being breakable in the direction of the table to form an-obtuse angle in the opposite direction and lock the legs in the upstanding position, the link having .a lateral slot, and an element carried by the underside of the table top and swingable to engage 'the slotted portion of the link and retain the latter close to the table top.

7. The structure o-f claim 6, and said slot being formed at a slight angle from the horizontal to cause said swingable element to engage one wall of said slot with a wedging action.

JOHN A. REITZE. 

